Morning journal and courier., 1887-08-31
MISS RHErr mxRos,s STORY.
a Baby,s Picture. a Soldiers Death. &
Governess' Romance.

GoVerness' Romance.
from the Atlanta Constitution.l
The death of Colonel w. R. Smith, which
took place in New York a few weeks ago,
has brought to light very remarkable in
cident Miss Rhett Myron, the principal
figure in the drama, is personal friend of
your correspondent, and from her the fol-
lowing facts have been obtained, with per-
mission for their publication. Hayne N.Y.
ron, the father of this young lady. was a
planter in South Carolina. His home was
a typical southern home, spacious and hospit-
able, surrounded by broad acres and faithful
slaves His family consisted of his wife and
Rhett, who was then little child. At
the breaking out of the waa, in the fall of
1861, Hayne Myron Joined a volunteer
South Carolina regiment. Before leaving
home he had a picture of his little girl
painted in miniature, and enoased 1t in a
locket that he placed next to his heart. Six
months later, in a skirmish in Virginia,
Hayne Myron was killed, in close combat, by
Federal officer. Only few words were
sent to the old home to tell the sad story.
During General Sherman's invasion into
South Carolina the Myron homestead was de-
strcyed The widow and daughter contin-
ued to live on the plantation in an outbuild-
ing, supported by the rents from the lands.
Two yers ago Mrs. Myron died, and through
the influence of friends Miss Myron obtained
position as governess in the family of Colo.
mel W. R. Smith of New York. She stated
to me that her first meeting with Colonel
Tmith was peculiar. That when his wife i'm
troduced her to him, saying, "This is our
new governess from South Carolina, Miss
Rhett Myron," his face became deathly
white aud he gave sudden start. He was
a1s Ivha
her. He mechanically shook hands with her
and tried to speak, but his lips seemed
sealed. But later his manner changed to
kindness and cordially, and she was treated
more as an honored guest than a salaried
teacher. He insisted on paying her four
ces and made her duties light. One evening
she was sitting in the family circle, telling of
her past life down in South Carolina, of the
spacious house with it's twenty columns, of
the dusky slaves, who used to sit her on
their shoulders, calling her their ''little
queen" as they carried her through the cot
ton fields that looked like seas of snow foam.
For the first time she spoke of her father,
how handsome and sad he looked as he went
away on that dreadful last day; how he took
her picture with him, and told all he said.
She states that she was forced to stop in the
midst of Ter words, for Colonel Smith
turned CHASTITY pale and left the room. Miss
Myron continued to live with Colonel Smiths
family for two years.
'It was haven and home for me-" she
said. 81 had so long toiled and worked on
our plantation, isolated from society and all
advantages, it was like fairy life had opened
to me of ease and luxury, but my heart was
almost breaking, as I remembered all that
had lost in those sad sweet days"
Six weeks ago Colonel Smith was taken
suddenly i'll, and when he realized that death
was inevitable he expressed desire to see
Miss Myron alone. She states that as she
neared the bed of the dying man she saw
him holding something convulsively in one
hand, as he extended the other to her and ex-
claimed:
"Rhett Myron, forgive me before I die;
without your pardon cannot die; come close
and listen to what have to tell you. 1t was
I who made you an orphan; my hands are
red with your fathers blood. Take this" he
said, handing me the package: "I found it
on his dying breast. 1t is your face; your
name and his name are upon it. Take it and
forgive one who has tried to expatiate the
wrongs done you. OH can you forgive a
dying mau?" and the voice became faint and
low.
ooh! sir, You both were soldiers; 1 freely
forgive and the poor girl could say no
more, as she fell unconscious upon the floor.
''Thank Ged," he murmured, and all was
over.
When Rhett Myron recovered the man who
had killed her father, and who was later the
best friend she ever knew, was dead. In his
will he bequeathed to her the generous sum
of fifteen Thousand dollars. He also left
letter giving all the particulars of her faith
er's death. Only few days ago I saw the
picturt-a sweet child face in an azure cloud,
and on the little plush case were marks of
blood